Despite the collapse of Iceland's economy in the wake of 2008's global financial meltdown, Reykjavik is a charming city. It's anything but an “ice land” -- surprisingly, temperatures are the same as New York City during the winter. So forget the thermal underwear, because even during the coldest months the coast is ice-free. The world’s most northerly capital is a city of peculiar contrasts; barren lunar landscapes oppose lush green hills and brightly colored houses. Don’t let the sleepy surroundings and conservative attitudes put you off -- in better times, Reykjavik was hailed the “Ibiza of the North.” The nightlife scene is historically legendary, and even in the worst of times, Icelanders know how to party.

The scenery is devastatingly captivating from wherever you stand in Reykjavik. You’ll never get sick of the view, and when the sun sets it gets even better -- blond-haired and blue-eyed Icelanders pack the streets. The excessive “runtur” on Friday and Saturday nights is infamous -- it’s a wild en masse bar crawl around the small clubs and bars in the city.

The steamy waters of the natural Blue Lagoon are the perfect hangover cure. Nothing beats chilling out in the superheated spa surrounded by jagged, snow-capped mountains. If you’re energetic, you can explore the nearby glaciers or climb the giant volcanic mountains. The view is almost as good from the massive Hallgrimskirkja Church. It’s the perfect vantage point to map out the streets below and figure out where you went last night before things got wild.

You’ll find all the cultural delights of a European city: world-class dining, inspiring architecture, cozy cafes, and masses of history. However, Reykjavik comes with an added quirkiness and energy that you just can’t ignore. It has a progressive big city vibe, but retains a certain village innocence that was left over from the Vikings.

Iceland continually ranks first on the Human Development Index, which measures the quality of life and happiness. Regardless of the recent collapse of Iceland’s economy, it’s a great place to visit, especially if the legendarily high prices in the country might go down somewhat for foreign visitors. Reykjavik’s location between North America and Europe is perfect for the business traveler. Air travel is reliable, and as a bonus several Icelandair flight attendants have been Miss World finalists.